Metropolitan Wastewater Treatment Plant Electrical System Master Plan

The Metropolitan Wastewater Treatment Plant (MWWTP) is located along the Mississippi River in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The plant occupies roughly 200 acres, can treat 250 million gallons of sewage per day, and has a power draw of some 25 megawatts. TKDA assisted Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES) with evaluating the plant’s electrical infrastructure and developing a master plan to improve the system and ensure its reliability.

The master plan was created using a priority point system based on the impact that a certain system’s failure would have on the plant’s electrical distribution system. Our team recommended eight specific upgrade projects and four general upgrade projects. The highest priority project recommended by the master plan was adding a new main switchgear building. The equipment in the existing switchgear building is nearing 50 years old, and replacement is advisable. Replacement of the 4,160 Volt and 13,800 Volt switchgear in the Compressor Building was also prioritized. The second priority project recommended by the master plan was reducing the number of generator sets used at the facility to maintain critical equipment. The result of the master planning effort was prioritizing over $25M in improvements to produce a more reliable electrical distribution system at the MWWTP.

CLIENT: Metropolitan Council Environmental Services
LOCATION: Saint Paul, Minnesota